Open chiefs expect Woods to start

British Open chiefs are confident Tiger Woods will take part in this year's tournament at St Andrews as he bids to become the first player to win three titles there.

World No 1 Woods returned to action at the Masters three weeks ago after five months out following sex scandals which shattered his clean-cut image.

After receiving a warm welcome from the vast majority of fans at Augusta during the Masters, Woods will play in North Carolina this week and has already committed himself to next week's Players Championship in Florida and June's US Open at Pebble Beach.